Domestic drain jetting cleans the drains at a home with high-pressure water. A hose with a rotating nozzle goes into the pipe through an access point. The jets scour the walls, so loose debris moves downstream.
It removes grease, scale, silt and small roots. Rods push a hole through a blockage, but jetting also washes the pipe wall. That is why it suits repeat blockages and slow drains.
The pressure should suit the pipe. Old or damaged pipes may need a camera check first, because high pressure can make weak joints worse. Ask the engineer which pressure and nozzle they plan to use.
Good habits matter more than any machine, because most blockages start at the sink or toilet. Scottish Water says most blockages come from flushed items or fat, oil and grease. Keep both out of your drains and you may never need jetting.
The engineer looks at the access points and the pipe type. A short camera check may help if the pipe is old, since weak joints can fail under pressure.
The engineer sets the unit near the drain and feeds the hose in. The nozzle and pressure should match the pipe material, because plastic and old clay differ.
The nozzle moves along the pipe, cleaning from the problem area back towards the access point. Loose debris washes downstream, while the walls get scoured.
Water runs through the system to show that it flows freely. A second camera check lets you see the pipe afterwards, since a clear flow can hide a damaged wall.
Prices vary because drains differ in length and in how much has built up. Light cleaning takes less time than clearing heavy, packed deposits. Different price guides give different figures, so do not rely on one number.
Ask for a written quote before work starts, since extras add up. Ask whether there is a call-out charge, and ask whether a camera check is part of the price.
It can be, if the pressure suits the pipe. Old clay pipes and damaged joints need care, because high pressure can make weak joints worse. Ask whether a camera check comes first, and which pressure the engineer plans to use.
There is no fixed schedule for homes, because every drain is different. Jet when signs return, or after a camera survey shows a build-up. Ask the engineer what they advise for your pipes.
Jetting uses existing access points such as manholes, chambers and gullies, so digging is not normally needed. Ask where the engineer will set up the hose and the unit. Tell them about any delicate surfaces, since the unit needs space.